M. Rachel Hackney

M. Rachel Hackney of Chapel Hill, 87 years old, passed away peacefully at The Cedars of Chapel Hill on February 19, 2018 after an extended period of poor health. Ms. Hackney was born May 5, 1930 in Chatham County, NC. She attended Silk Hope High School, graduating in 1948, and Women's College in Greensboro, NC (now University of North Carolina at Greensboro), graduating in 1952.

Rachel enjoyed a long and productive career in nuclear science in San Diego, California and Longmont, Colorado before her retirement. She lived in Chapel Hill at The Cedars in her recent retirement years. Survivors include: Brothers, Jack Hackney and wife Anne, Joe Hackney and wife Betsy; Nephews, Scott Mitchell, Michael Burns and wife, Pam, Daniel Hackney and wife Katrina, Will Hackney and Jenn Wasner; Niece, Susan Lecrone and husband Mitch; and numerous cousins and other relatives in the extended Hackney and Dorsett families in and around Chatham County and elsewhere. Rachel was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Ida Dorsett Hackney of Silk Hope; sisters Jean Burns and Frances Minton; and nephew Steve Mitchell.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 20, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 North Second Avenue, Siler City. A graveside service will follow Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Hickory Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery, 1094 Mt. Vernon-Hickory Mountain Road, Siler City with Rev. Bob Wachs officiating. The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff of the DuBose Health Center at The Cedars at Chapel Hill for the loving care they provided over Rachel's years of declining health.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society,Chatham Unit, 8300 Health Park- Suite10, Raleigh, NC  27615;  American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Mid-Atlantic Affilliate, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060; or Thurston Arthritis Research Center, CB 7280, 3300 Thurston Building, Chapel Hill, NC  27599. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com.